Graham gets ready to’ hit the road’

March 3, 2018

Specialist Middlesbrough garage is looking for ‘one careful owner’ to take the reins of his nearly 30-year-old business, as he plans to retire.

Graham Hutchinson, who founded Merc-Spec in Middlesbrough in 1989, has put his garage, which specialises in German-brand vehicles, up for sale in order to retire. It is on the market for £685,000 with business broker Hilton Smythe.

Graham launched the business as a mobile mechanic and bought his first garage in 1993, before expanding into the current South Bank site.

Merc-Spec

The company specialises in bodywork, servicing and repair, diagnostics, air conditioning and MOTs for vehicles including Mercedes Benz, Porsche, BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen.

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Gareth Smyth, Group Managing Director at Hilton Smythe, said: “Merc Spec is a great business for someone looking to run their own garage, as it doesn’t need any work doing to it. Everything, including the staff, is ready for a new owner to just walk in and start earning from day one. As it specialises in German vehicles, customers are keen to come back, as they’re confident the team are experts in their vehicles.

“Garages are a fantastic investment for someone looking to buy a business, as, regardless of what is happening in the economy, the vast majority of people will still use cars, and those cars will need maintaining. There will always be a market for a good, trustworthy local mechanic.”

Graham Hutchinson, Owner of Merc-Spec said: “I decided to sell the business with Hilton Smythe because when I spoke to them, I really felt like they understood how much of my life I’ve put into my business, and how important it is to find the right buyer for it. I’ve built up a great reputation over the past 30 years, and I don’t want someone to buy the business and turn the site into something else. I want it to carry on growing and being successful.

“I’ve been in the motor trade since I was 16, so I think I’ve earned a restful retirement. I won’t be sitting on the sofa though. I’m hoping to do some travelling, then maybe invest in some property. I still have lots of things I want to do in other fields.”